UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Following the success of last year’s digital news subscription model, Penn State’s Student News Readership Program has announced that it will go completely digital for the 2020-21 academic year by eliminating the availability of printed newspapers on campuses.
The transition to digital-only follows the nationwide trend of digital news and the decline in popularity of print newspapers. The decision was made in light of current circumstances with many students studying remotely, and with additional consideration and feedback from faculty and students through focus groups and surveys.
Through digital news subscriptions, students will have access to a variety of free local and national news sources. All students, faculty and staff at University Park and all Commonwealth Campuses will have free, unlimited digital access to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. This robust subscription include access to podcasts, videos and interactive media. The service aims to connect the Penn State community with trusted reporting on breaking news and in-depth stories from across the nation and around the World.
To register for a digital subscription, students, faculty and staff can visit newspapers.psu.edu and follow instructions for access using a Penn State email address. Faculty and staff will be required to renew their access annually. Students will enter a graduation date upon registering.
The Student News Readership Program, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs, has provided students with free print newspapers and access to digital subscriptions for more than 20 years. In addition to the The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, program staff are currently working with local news sources, including the Centre Daily Times, in an effort to provide digital access to University Park students. More information about local news access will be available soon.
Penn State’s news readership program was originally launched in 1997. The goal of the program is to provide students with access to trusted journalism, including breaking news and in-depth reporting on important international, national and local issues, while also encouraging newspaper readership for life. The program is now a model for other universities nationwide.